people, that thy grief might find express To gather in some vast cathedral's hall, That then in unity we might kneel and hear Sublimity in sounds, voice our distress. Peace, peace, the men of God cry, ye be bold, The world hath known, 'tis Heaven who claims him now, And in our railings we but cast aside The noble traits he bid us hold. So though divided through the land, in dreams [Pg 97]We see a people kneeling low, Bowed down in heart and soul to see This fearful sorrow, crushing as it seems. And all the grand cathedral silence falls Into the hearts of these that worship low, Like tender waves of hushed nothingness, Confined, nor kept by human earthly walls. [Pg 98]

The light streams through the windows arched high,

And o'er the stern, stone carvings breaks

In warm rich gold and crimson waves,

Then steals away in corners dark to die.

And all the grand cathedral silence falls

Into the hearts of those that worship low,

Like tender waves of hushed nothingness,

Confined nor kept by human earthly walls.

Deep music in its thundering organ sounds,

Grows diffuse through the echoing space,

Till hearts grow still in sadness' mighty joy,

[Pg 94]

Or leap aloft in swift ecstatic bounds.

Mayhap 'twas but a dream that came to me,

Or but a vision of the soul's desire,

 Prev. P 45/88 next